Our Mission

Saving Lives Through Rescue and Mountain Safety Education.

Portland Mountain Rescue exists to save lives. We search for and, hopefully, rescue people in trouble either above the timberline or in high angle areas below the timberline. We also educate children, mountaineers, climbers, hikers and backcountry enthusiasts in safe activities so they will be able to avoid the dangers that result in the need for rescue.

Rescue:

Most PMR rescue operations are “technical” in nature and can include glacier, crevasse, backcountry and alpine search and rescue. Occasionally, we provide assistance for non-technical operations if other resources are inadequate.

We partner with local law enforcement, emergency and medical authorities, as well as other search and rescue organizations in our region of the United States. We also maintain an ongoing relationship with the USDA Forest Service and the proprietors of Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood. The 11,239-foot peak – Oregon’s tallest mountain – is a popular destination for many skiers, snowboarders, mountaineers and backcountry enthusiasts. During the climbing season (roughly April to July), we patrol the South side of Mount Hood on a regular basis to provide rapid response to accidents. Occasionally, our operations even stretch into regions far beyond the Portland area, including the Oregon Coast Range mountains, the Central Oregon Cascades, the high country of Eastern Oregon and the mountains of Washington State (especially Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens).

Education:

This portion of the PMR mission may be the most important. This “preventative search and rescue” includes speaking engagements, media interviews, personal contact and even this website! Though these activities are not required of PMR members, many persons in our group participate in educational presentations to schools, scout troops, civic organizations, television stations and other interested parties. Often, this education is best conveyed through informal personal contact with mountaineers, climbers and backcountry enthusiasts on location (e.g. persuading the unprepared into giving up their risky plans for that day and providing guidance on what to do better the next time they try their activities).